HIGH DIVE is the epicenter of live music and events in downtown Gainesville, FL. Located in the former home of Common Grounds and Covered Dish! We share the building with Five Star Pizza , next to the southwest parking garage and across from Jones B-Side. We have the biggest dedicated parking lot of any venue downtown, and parking is always FREE (first come, first serve)

Front Gate

HIGH DIVE is a live music and event venue unlike any other in Gainesville, providing a professional concert experience in a gritty rock n roll environment . This is the kind of space artists and music fans might typically expect only in a bigger city. High Dive has the largest and highest quality sound system of any venue in Gainesville and a recently updated lighting and video system. Full production specs can be found here.

HIGH DIVE’s building has a long and storied history of hosting live music for decades. Huge, influential bands such as Dave Matthew’s Band, Kenny Chesney, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, 311, Black Keys, Paramore, Avett Brothers, and Against Me! as well comedians such as Patton Oswalt have performed at this site going back to the 90’s. With your support we are committed to celebrating and maintaining this cultural tradition for many years to come !

Renovated Show Room

HIGH DIVE has recently undergone a 2 year renovation. Updates include a large amount of permanent seating, refinished bars, new flooring, ceiling, lighting, improved sound and lights, refinished artist backstage, upgraded bathrooms, a modern electronic point of sale systems, and new bar systems. Our pride and joy is 800 square feet of reclaimed and restored, 150 year old heart pine lining the walls of our inside show room. We have maintained the warm and friendly rock-n-roll feel of this historic venue with a fresh rustic-chic sheen. This is truly a HIGH class, high-end DIVE bar.

Beer Garden mural – Jesus Martinez

Our outdoor BEER GARDEN features a full bar and is always NO COVERfor 21+. Ideal for those that wish to hang out but don’t want to see the show ! The Beer Garden features 42″ flat screen TVs with stereo sound for catching big games! You can also see a video feed of the entire stage from outside while you have a smoke or enjoy your drink. LIVE DJ’s spin in the High Dive Beer Garden from time to time.

Outside in the Beer Garden

Beer Garden Bar

LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS set up in front of our entrance at various times, serving a wide variety of dishes at affordable prices. Follow our social media for updates. Every 6 weeks or so we host the ORIGINAL GAINESVILLE FOOD TRUCK RALLY with over 10 local trucks on site. Feel free to bring your food inside and have a drink !

AGE POLICY – GAINESVILLE CITY LAW stipulates that NO ONE UNDER 18 is allowed inside UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT OR GUARDIAN at all times while in the building. Additionally, DRIVERS LICENSE or PASSPORT or BIRTH CERTIFICATE (accompanied by photo ID) is REQUIRED TO ENTER!

HIGH DIVE IS NON SMOKING inside the show room .
Smoking is allowed outside in the Beer Garden only.

HOURS OF OPERATION: WE ARE ONLY OPEN FOR SHOWS AND EVENTS! Typically doors open at 7 or 8pm on weekdays and 8 or 9pm on weekends. Advertised “show time” is the time the opening act goes on, NOT the headliner. Gainesville law says we have to close at 2am. Please check our Calendar of Events for full information daily

UNDERAGE DRINKING IS ILLEGAL and will not be tolerated. Anyone caught drinking under the age of 21 or facilitating under age drinking will be asked to leave. We don’t enjoy policing this law, so please don’t make us do it !

Location & Contact

About High Dive

HIGH DIVE is the epicenter of live music and events in downtown Gainesville, FL. In former home of Common Grounds and Covered Dish! We share the building with Five Star Pizza and Wholly BBQ, next to the southwest parking garage… read more